Closed thermodynamic system for producing electric power

ABSTRACT

A closed thermodynamic system for producing electricity, including a water pump ( 180 ), a water circulation heater ( 110 ), a steam turbine ( 120 ), an electric generator ( 130 ) and a steam/water cooling sub-system ( 190 ). The water pump transfers water, having about ambient temperature, extracted from the steam/water unit to the water heating unit ( 165 ), which heats up the water that flows into the cooking sub-system ( 190 ). The water circulation heater ( 110 ) converts the water into high pressure steam which is directed to the steam turbine which converts the thermal energy to kinetic energy. The rotating turbine rotates the electric generator ( 130 ), being affixed onto the rotational axis of the turbine, and the electric generator produces electric energy. The water cooling sub-system then reduces the steam returning from the turbine into water having about ambient temperature.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit from U.S. provisional application 60/996,667 filed Nov. 29, 2007, the disclosure of which is included herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of thermodynamic systems, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a closed thermodynamic system including a steam turbine that operates an electric generator, which can produce substantially more electrical power than the electricity power that is operationally consumed by the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts the thermal energy into useful kinetic energy. For example, thermodynamic steam engines are typically operated by fuel that is burnt to operate engines, such as various vehicle engines, electrical generators and the like. FIG. 1 (prior art) illustrates an aircraft steam powered engine 20 developed Bill and George Besler and first flown in 1933. The steam engine operated a turbine with heated steam of about 425° C. and in turn, the turbine operated the engine.

Since a turbine generates rotary motion, the turbine is particularly suited for driving an electrical generator—about 86% of all the electricity generation in the world is produced by use of steam turbines. The steam turbine is a form of heat engine that derives much of the improvement in the thermodynamic efficiency from the use of multiple stages in the expansion of the steam.

In a closed chamber, which is totally sealed and isolated from the surroundings of the chamber, if the chamber contains an active heat generating device, for example an electric heating element, the temperature in the chamber will constantly increase. Furthermore, if the chamber contains gas, for example steam, the steam molecules tend to expand in volume and thereby the pressure in the chamber also increases constantly.

A closed thermodynamic system is said to be in thermodynamic equilibrium when the system is in thermal equilibrium, mechanical equilibrium, and chemical equilibrium. The local state of a system at thermodynamic equilibrium is determined by the values of the intensive parameters, such as pressure, temperature, etc. Specifically, thermodynamic equilibrium is characterized by the minimum of a thermodynamic potential, such as the Helmholtz free energy, i.e. systems at constant temperature and volume:

A=U−TS,

where A is the Helmholtz free energy, U is the internal energy of the system, T is the absolute temperature and S is the entropy; or, as the Gibbs free energy, i.e. systems at constant pressure and temperature:

G=H−TS,

where T is the temperature, S is the entropy and H is the enthalpy.

Thermal equilibrium is achieved when two systems, being in thermal contact with each other, cease to exchange energy by heat. If the two systems are in thermal equilibrium, the temperatures of the two systems are the same. In a thermal equilibrium state, there are no unbalanced potentials (or driving forces) within the system. A system that is in thermal equilibrium, experiences no changes when the system is isolated from the surroundings of the system.

There is a need for and it would be advantageous to have a thermodynamic system that is designated to produce electricity and that has the capacity to supply electric power which is substantially higher than the power that the system operatively consumes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is then the intention of the present invention to provide a closed thermodynamic system including a steam turbine that operates an electric generator, which can supply electric power that is substantially higher than the power that the closed thermodynamic system operatively consumes.

The present invention enables production of electric energy based on characteristics of a selected liquid, such as water, in the natural state of the liquid in nature.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a closed thermodynamic system for producing electricity, having an internal volume, including:

a) a water pump;

b) a heat exchange unit;

c) a water circulation heater;

d) a steam turbine;

e) an electric generator; and

f) a water cooling sub-system.

The internal volume is predesigned and contains a pre-measured quantity of a selected liquid, such as water. The internal volume and the liquid type and quantity are selected according to the target electric power.

The water pump extracts liquid, having about ambient temperature and at a pre-calculated flow rate, from the water cooling sub-system and transfers the extracted liquid to the heat exchange unit. The liquid is heated up and accrues higher pressure while flowing inside an elongated pipe through the heat exchange unit, exchanging heat with the hot steam arriving from the turbine. The higher temperature typically converts the liquid into steam and the higher pressure increases the liquid flow rate as the steam flows further into the water circulation heater.

The water circulation heater heats up the arriving liquid/steam that flows in from the heat exchange unit, thereby converting the liquid/steam into high pressure steam. The attained pressure is predesigned, to achieve a pre-designed rotational speed of the turbine. Hence, the high pressure steam is directed towards designated elements of the turbine at a pre-designed angle with respect to the designated elements of the turbine. Thereby, the steam turbine converts the thermal energy stored in the high pressure steam to kinetic energy that operationally rotates the turbine about the rotational axis of the turbine. The rotating turbine rotates the electric generator, being affixed onto the rotational axis of the turbine and thereby, the electric generator produces electric energy.

From the turbine, the steam flows back into the heat exchange unit, which reduces the steam temperature, while exchanging heat with the cooler liquid flowing inside the pipes disposed inside the heat exchange unit. The cooler steam/liquid then flows into the water cooling sub-system, which reduces the temperature of the liquid, flowing from the heat exchange unit, to about ambient temperature.

The water cooling sub-system includes:

a) a condenser;

b) a liquid tank; and

c) a water cooling unit.

At the condenser the steam is converted back to hot liquid. The water pump supplies some cold liquid to the condenser to accelerate the condensing process. The liquid is accumulated in a water tank and from the water tank, the liquid flows into the water cooling unit, which reduces the temperature of the liquid, flowing from the heat exchange unit, to about ambient temperature.

The water pump is preferably coupled with an electric motor which operates the water pump. In variations of the present invention, the water pump and the motor are combined into a single unit.

The water circulation heater includes a heating element, which is preferably an electric heating element. In variations of the present invention, the electric heating element is an electrical resistor that when electric current flows through the resistor, the resistor converts some of the electrical energy into heat energy. In other variations of the present invention the electric heating element is a stream of electrons, being a plasma, having high thermal kinetic energy.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system including a computerized control sub-system. The computerized control sub-system operationally controls various parameters of the system selected from the group including the output pressure of the water pump, the pressure in various chambers and pipes, the temperature in various chambers and pipes, the rotational speed of the turbine, the output electric power produced by the electric motor and other parameters and units.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system the can fulfill the electric power needed of all internal electrical components of the system, including but limited to: the water pump motor, the heating element and the computerized control sub-system.

It should be noted that the length and volumes of various chambers and pipes are designed to hold a predesigned pressure that is designed to keep the system in a continuous working state, while being in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium.

Further, based on to the size of the rotor of the generator, it is possible to know the generator's capacity and to compute the necessary size of the flywheel. According to the first law of Newton, the power applied to a body is the product of the body's mass and the acceleration. The lasting moment in a given RPM (having a flywheel with known diameter and weight) less the loss of RPM due to turning off, equals the kinetic energy consumption of the flywheel. The thermo dynamic circuit is utilized of as an endless source of energy to amplify energy and to control RPM.

In variations of the present invention, the selected liquid, such as water, contains materials that modify the mixture parameters, such as the boiling temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 (prior art) illustrates an aircraft steam powered engine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of closed thermodynamic system for producing electric power, according to variations of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example closed thermodynamic the system for producing electric power, as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a steam turbine the thermodynamic system, according to variations of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the host description or illustrated in the drawings.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of the invention belongs. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a closed thermodynamic system 100 for producing electricity, according to variations of the present invention. Thermodynamic system 100 includes water pump 180, heat exchange unit 165, water circulation heater 110, steam turbine 120, electric generator 130, and steam/water cooling sub-system 190.

When system 100 reaches the working state equilibrium, system 100 produces electricity, whereas a small portion of the produced electric power is used to operate electrical components of system 100 and the majority of the electricity produced is made available to operate external devices 10. When in the working state, system 100 can operate non-stop, being self sustaining with respect to the electrical power needed for operating.

To reach the working state of system 100, external power is used to bring system 100 to the working state equilibrium. The starting process which requires external power is referred to as the “starting process”.

The following describes the operational process of system 100, both in the working state of system 100 and while at the starting process.

Water pump 180 extracts liquid, having about ambient temperature and at a pre-calculated flow rate, from water cooling sub-system 190 and transfers the extracted liquid to heat exchange unit 165. The liquid is heated up and accrues higher pressure while flowing inside an elongated pipe through heat exchange unit 165, exchanging heat with the hot steam arriving from turbine 120. The higher temperature typically converts the liquid into steam (when reaching the boiling temperature of the liquid)) and the higher pressure increases the liquid flow rate as the steam flows further into water circulation heater 110. Water circulation heater 110 heats up the arriving liquid/steam that flows in from heat exchange unit 165 and thereby, converts the liquid/steam into high pressure steam. The attained pressure is predesigned, to achieve a pre-designed rotational speed of turbine 120. Hence, the high pressure steam is directed towards designated elements of turbine 120 at a pre-designed angle with respect to the designated elements of turbine 120. Thereby, steam turbine 120 converts the thermal energy stored in the high pressure steam to kinetic energy that operationally rotates turbine 120 about the rotational axis of turbine 120. Steam turbine 120 is preferably a gas turbine capable of amplifying the rotational moment created by the flow of the pressurized steam and thereby obtaining or rotational speed of turbine 120 that is higher than the rotational speed that can be operatively attained by the nominal force of the flow of the pressurized steam, applied to a conventional turbine. Rotating turbine 120 rotates electric generator 130, being affixed onto the rotational axis of turbine 120 and thereby, electric generator 130 produces electric energy.

From turbine 120, the steam flows back into heat exchange unit 165, which reduces the steam temperature, while exchanging heat with the cooler liquid flowing inside the pipes disposed inside heat exchange unit 165. The cooler steam/liquid then flows into water cooling sub-system 190, which reduces the temperature of the liquid, flowing from heat exchange unit 165, to about ambient temperature. Water cooling sub-system 190 includes:

a) condenser 150;

b) liquid tank 195; and

c) water cooling unit 170.

At condenser 150 the steam is converted back to hot liquid. Water pump 180 supplies some cold liquid to condenser 150 to accelerate the condensing process. The liquid is accumulated in water tank 195 and then flows into water cooling unit 170, which reduces the temperature of the liquid to about ambient temperature. In variations of the present invention, the cold liquid flown into condenser 150 is supplied by a separate water pump.

Water pump 180 is preferably coupled with electric motor 182 which operates water pump 180. In variations of the present invention, water pump 180 and the motor 182 are combined into a single unit.

Water circulation heater 110 includes a heating element, which is preferably an electric heating element. In variations of the present invention, the electric heating element is an electrical resistor that when electric current is flown through the resistor, the resistor converts some of the electrical energy into heat energy. In other variations of the present invention the electric heating element is a stream of electrons, being a plasma, having high thermal kinetic energy.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system including computerized control sub-system 105. computerized control sub-system 105 operationally controls various parameters of system 100, selected from the group including the output pressure of water pump 180, the pressure in various chambers and pipes, the temperature in various chambers and pipes, the rotational speed of turbine 120, the output electric power produced by electric motor 130 and other parameters and units.

It should be noted that when turbine 120 reaches the working rotational speed the heating power is reduced, as the power needed to accelerate turbine 120 is greater than the heating power needed to maintain the rotational speed of turbine 120. The heating power needed to maintain the rotational speed of turbine 120 can be reduced to even 0-10% of the power needed to start system 100 up.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a thermodynamic system the can fulfill the electric power needed of all internal electrical components of the system, including but limited to: water pump motor 182, the heating element and computerized control sub-system 105.

It should be noted that the length and volumes of various chambers and pipes are designed to hold a predesigned pressure that is designed to keep the system in a continuous working state, while being in a thermodynamic equilibrium state.

Reference is also made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an example closed thermodynamic system 200 for producing electricity. Thermodynamic system 200 includes heating chamber unit 210, steam turbine 220, electric generator 230, steam heat exchange chamber 240, condenser 250, water heat exchange chamber 260, water cooler 270 and water pump 280.

Thermodynamic system 100 will now be described through example system 200 with no limitations on other variations of system 100. In system 200, steam heat exchange chamber 240 and water heat exchange chamber 260 represent a variation of heat exchange unit 265; and condenser 250 and water cooler 270 represent a variation of steam/water cooling unit 275.

Heating chamber unit 210 is thermally insulated by insulation 205 and includes electric heating element 212. To improve the insulation and thereby the heat exchange process, heating chamber unit 210 may be built in a multiple chamber structure, enclosed within each other. Good insulation is needed to reduce the power needed to keep system 200 in thermal equilibrium. In FIG. 2, two chambers are shown whereas internal chamber 211 contains heating element 212 and external chamber 213 includes an outlet 216 which releases the pressurized steam towards turbine 220.

In the starting process, electric power is supplied to operate heating element 212, motor 282 and any other electric part of system 200, such as the computerized control sub-system. Motor 282 operates water pump 280 to extract water from water cooler 270. The water is moved forward by water pump 280 at increased pressure through pipe 262 and into heat exchange chamber 260. The hot water contained inside exchange chamber 260 exchanges heat with pipe 262, and thereby heating the water inside pipe 262. The heated water inside pipe 262 are further moved forward by the increased pressure through pipe 242 inside heat exchange chamber 240, which contains hot steam arriving from turbine 220. The hot steam exchanges heat with pipe 242, thereby heating the pressurized water inside pipe 242. The pressurized hot water inside pipe 242 is then directed into heating chamber 211.

Hot water (>100° C.) in high pressure are entered into heating chamber 211 via inlet 214. Heating element 212 further heats the water in chamber 211, thereby increasing the pressure inside chamber 211, as the water molecules strive to expand. The pressurized water flows into chamber 213 via one or more openings and escapes chamber 213 via outlet 216 where the hot water are transformed into pressurized steam, which is directed towards turbine 220. The pressurized steam flows towards one or more elements 222 of turbine 220 that resist the steam pressure and thereby causing turbine 220 to rotate about axis 225, to which turbine 220 is affixed.

The rotation of turbine 220 operatively rotates generator 230, being affixed to axis 225, and thereby producing electrical power. The number of elements 222 towards which the pressurized steam is directed can vary as needed. For example, in the starting process more elements 222 are used to shorten the starting process, and when working state is reached, less elements 222 are used. Reference is also made to FIG. 4, which illustrates turbine 220. In this example, the pressurized steam is directed towards designated elements of turbine 220, and thereby rotating turbine 220, through nozzles 228, which enable the pressurized steam to enter the sealed turbine housing 226 and onto turbine 220. In the starting process, the pressurized steam preferably flows through all nozzles 228. When turbine 220, including a flywheel, reaches the predesigned, working rotational speed one or more nozzles are shut down, as less power is needed to keep turbine 120 rotating at a substantially constant working rotational speed. It should be noted that the system has to be brought into a state of Thermal entropy before the shutting down any of the nozzles.

After causing turbine 220 to rotated, the steam is directed to heat exchange chamber 240 via inlet 224. In heat exchange chamber 240 the steam arriving from turbine 220 exchanges heat with pipe 242, which transports cooler water towards heating chamber unit 210. The steam arriving from turbine 220 flows via outlet 241 and inlet 252 into condenser 250, which transforms the steam into hot water. Cold (near ambient temperature) water also flows through inlet 254 into condenser 250 from water pump 280 to accelerate the heat exchange process. The hot water inside condenser 250 accumulates at the bottom of condenser 250 and flows into exchange chamber 260, via inlet 244. The steam in heat exchange chamber 240 that converts into water and flows into exchange chamber 260, via outlet 246.

In heat exchange chamber 260 the hot water arriving from condenser 250 (and some from exchange chamber 240) exchanges heat with pipe 262, which transports cold water towards heat exchange chamber 240. The water arrived from condenser 250 flows via inlet 272 into water cooler 270, where the water temperature is reduced to about ambient temperature. From water cooler 270 the cold water flows into water pump 280 which is operatively coupled to a motor 282. Water pump 280 directs some of the cold water towards condenser 250 to accelerate the condensation process. The rest of the water flows in a pipe towards heat exchange chamber 260, inside pipe 262. This cycle continues as the working state of closed thermodynamic system 200 persists. When the electric power produced by generator 230 surpasses the electric power used by system 200, the external electric power source is disconnected, and thereby system 200 becomes self sustaining.

It should be noted that the inner space containing the water/steam is a sealed space.

It should be further noted that the electric power needed to operate heating element 212, motor 282 and any other electric part of system 200 (and system 100) is preferably supplied by generator 230. It should be further noted that various dimensions of elements of system 200 (and system 100), such as the length and volume of pipes 242, 262, heat exchange chamber 260, heat exchange chamber 240 and heating chamber unit 210 are designed to hold a predesigned pressure in the system that is designed to keep system 200 (and system 100) in a continuous working state being in a thermodynamic equilibrium state.

It should be further noted that heat exchange chamber 260 and heat exchange unit 165 may be subdivided into a multiple number of heat exchange chambers, and that heat exchange chamber 240 may be subdivided into a multiple number of heat exchange chambers.

The following is an example thermodynamic system, according to variations of the present invention:

-   -   The volume of heat exchange heat exchange unit 265 is 5 liters.     -   The length of the pipes in heat exchange unit 265 is 400 meters.     -   The pressure inside the pipes in heat exchange unit 265 can         reach 110 Bar.     -   Heating element 212 requires electric power of 8500 Watt.     -   The temperature of the steam arriving at turbine 220 is ˜250° C.         and the pressure is 30 Bar.     -   The temperature of the water arriving at water pump 280 is 20°         C.-50° C.     -   The temperature of the water exiting pipe 262 is ˜70° C.     -   The temperature of the water exiting pipe 242 is ˜150° C.     -   Generator 230 produces electric power of 40-120 KVA/400 Hz.

Even if we take the electric power consumption of system 200 to be 15 KW, generator 230 produces a residual electric power of 25-105 KW.

(End of Example)

In variations of the present invention, other materials are added to the water to modify the mixture parameters. For example: alcohol can be added to the water to lower the boiling temperature.

System 100 can be used as a power source for electric engines and electric apparatuses for any motorized vehicles such as automobiles, aircrafts and vessels. System 100 can be used as a power source for electric engines and electric apparatuses for vehicles to be used in outer space. System 100 can be used as an electrical power plant for home use, factory use and any other local use. System 100 can be used as an electrical power plant that can supply electricity to a network of users. System 100 can be used as a power source for any electric client.

It should be noted that the energy accumulated in the closed system enables the system to proceed working and produce electricity after a malfunction has been identified, until a secondary backup system replaces the malfunctioned system.

The invention being thus described in terms of embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. 

1. A closed thermodynamic system for producing electric power, having an internal volume, comprising: a) a water pump; b) a heat exchange unit; c) a water circulation heater; d) a steam turbine; e) an electric generator; and f) a water cooling sub-system, wherein said internal volume is predesigned and contains a pre-measured quantity of liquid; wherein said water pump transfers said liquid, having about ambient temperature and at a pre-calculated flow rate, extracted from said water cooling sub-system to said heat exchange unit; wherein said water circulation heater heats up said liquid that flows in from said heat exchange unit, thereby converting said liquid into high pressure steam; wherein said high pressure steam is directed to said steam turbine and thereby, said turbine converts the thermal energy to kinetic energy that operationally rotates said turbine about the rotational axis of said turbine; wherein said rotating turbine rotates said electric generator, being affixed onto said rotational axis of said turbine; wherein said electric generator produces electric energy; wherein said heat exchange unit reduces the steam temperature flowing from said turbine through said heat exchange unit into said water cooling sub-system; and wherein said water cooling sub-system reduces the temperature of said liquid, flowing from said heat exchange unit, to about ambient temperature.
 2. The thermodynamic system of claim 1 further comprising a motor coupled to operate said water pump.
 3. The thermodynamic system of claim 2, wherein said motor is an electric motor.
 4. The thermodynamic system of claim 3, wherein said electric generator supplies the electric power needed to operate said motor.
 5. The thermodynamic system of claim 1, wherein said water cooling sub-system comprises: a) a condenser; b) a liquid tank; and c) a water cooling unit.
 6. The thermodynamic system of claim 1, wherein said water circulation heater comprises a heating element.
 7. The thermodynamic system of claim 6, wherein said heating element is an electric heating element.
 8. The thermodynamic system of claim 7, wherein said electric generator supplies the electric power needed to operate said heating element.
 9. The thermodynamic system of claim 7, wherein said electric heating element is an electrical resistor that when electric current is flown through said resistor, said resistor converts some of the electrical energy into heat energy.
 10. The thermodynamic system of claim 7, wherein said electric heating element generates a stream of electrons, being a plasma, having high thermal kinetic energy.
 11. The thermodynamic system of claim 1 further comprising a computerized control sub-system.
 12. The thermodynamic system of claim 11, wherein said computerized control sub-system operationally controls various parameters of the system selected from the group including the output pressure of said water pump, the pressure in various chambers and pipes, the temperature in various chambers and pipes, the rotational speed of said turbine, the output electric power produced by said electric motor.
 13. The thermodynamic system of claim 11, wherein said electric generator supplies the electric power needed to operate said computerized control sub-system.
 14. The thermodynamic system of claim 1, wherein the length and volumes of various chambers and pipes are designed to hold a predesigned pressure in the system that is designed to keep the system in a continuous working state, being in a thermodynamic equilibrium state.
 15. The thermodynamic system of claim 1, wherein said liquid is water.
 16. The thermodynamic system of claim 15, wherein said water contains materials that modify the mixture parameters, such as the boiling temperature. 